GUNS 25 
rapid shooting is not possible, and which were not built for any 
such purpose. 
His hammer gun weighing nineteen pounds with 36-inch 
barrels costs £31 10s. 
Messrs. Tolley—who produce a lesser-gauge gun, of which 
1 shall speak at some length later—also turn out wonderful 
4-bores for about £25 each. 
Personally, though I have shot with one, I do not habitu- 
ally use a double 4-bore, and in this connection I may as well 
quote the words of Sir Ralph Payne-Gallwey, the President of 
the Wildfowlers’ Association, and, of course, one of the most 
famous of living shots. He says :— 
““We hear a great deal about the performance of large-bore 
shoulder guns, especially of the doings of 4-bores. Some makers 
advertise that these weapons will kill well—mark the word we//—up to 
100 yards, and even do damage at 150 yards in what gunmakers call 
‘a flock. .. .’ Perhaps a flock of sheep may receive a few pellets at 
the latter distance, but a company of widgeon would not be in the 
least danger. Few know what a distance 150, or even 100 yards, 
is unless they measure it, though they may talk loudly of their extra- 
ordinarily long shots.” 
Finally, in dismissing the question of 4-bores, I repeat that 
while it is pleasant, and often very useful, to own a gun of 
this calibre, no wildfowler need regard it as a necessity to 
do so. 
We arrive now at a gun of quite a different nature and 
utility. I refer to the double 8-bore. 
This gun has long been recognised as the standard wild- 
fowling weapon. Weighing from 12 lbs. (light) to 15 Ibs. 
(magnum), it is, of course, too heavy to carry long distances 
and is unsuited for snap-shooting. But nevertheless it is 
certainly the standard gun for shore work. 
I recommend always a light double eight with 32-in. 
barrels full-choked, and chambered for the 34-in. perfect brass 
